Exciting two-year-old Zululand will be chasing a rare double in Sires’ Produce events this weekend, having claimed the Group 2 Henry Bucks Sires’ Produce (1400m) last time out and confirmed to line up for this weekend’s Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on day 1 of The Championships.
Zululand has been confirmed to line up for the 2014 ATC Sires' Produce Stakes. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Partnering the talented Fastnet Rock in three of his four starts so far, jockey Stephen Baster is confident of securing the uncommon feat after completing a strong piece of work in a Randwick barrier trial last week.
Finishing the 1050 metres in the clear of all opponents, Baster told AAP he believes Zululand is a definite chance this weekend.
“He got back and finished off strong and won his trial well” Baster said.
“He covered a bit of ground and we wanted him to have a nice hit-out so it was a good trial leaning towards the race.
“I think the Melbourne horses, just looking at the Slipper, the form from down there stood up quite well up there.
“There’s no dead-set standout and everything he has done, he has done right. So I think he’s right in it.”
Contesting his first Australian racing season since returning from a contract in Singapore, Baster is delighted to have the ride on such a talented youngster in a major Group 1 event this weekend.
“This is my first full season since getting back from Singapore. It’s good to be getting a bit of support and obviously it helps getting on the faster young horses on the way up” Baster added.
Having produced a reasonable strong starts to his racing career, Zululand is currently offered at particularly generous $14 odds in early betting markets for success in the 2014 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Finishing fourth in last weekend’s major Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), Believe Yourself currently heads markets.
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